The Parliament

Consider the following statements regarding termination of sitting of a House:
1. Only the House of the People is subject to dissolution.
2. The powers of dissolution and prorogation are exercised by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
3. The power to adjourn the daily sittings of the House of the People and the Council of States belongs to the Speaker and the Chairman respectively.
4. The Parliament cannot be dissolved as it is a permanent chamber.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2, 3 and 4″ option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 4″ correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is A) 1, 2 and 3. Statements 1, 2, and 3 correctly describe aspects of the termination of sittings or the life of a House, while statement 4 is incorrect.

– Statement 1: The Lok Sabha (House of the People) is subject to dissolution at the end of its five-year term or earlier by the President. The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is a permanent house and is not subject to dissolution. This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: The powers of dissolution (terminating the life of the Lok Sabha) and prorogation (terminating a session) are exercised by the President. Conventionally, the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister in exercising these powers. This statement is correct.
– Statement 3: Adjournment is the suspension of the business of a House for a specified time, which may be hours, days, or weeks. The power to adjourn the daily sittings of the House of the People and the Council of States rests with their respective presiding officers, the Speaker and the Chairman. This statement is correct.
– Statement 4: Parliament consists of the President, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha. While the Rajya Sabha is a permanent chamber, the Lok Sabha is dissolved periodically. Therefore, the Parliament *as a whole* is not a permanent chamber in the sense that one of its constituent houses is subject to dissolution and reconstitution through elections. This statement is incorrect.

There are four ways a sitting/session of a House can be terminated: Adjournment (by Presiding Officer), Adjournment Sine Die (by Presiding Officer, terminating a sitting without fixing a date for the next meeting), Prorogation (by the President, terminating a session), and Dissolution (by the President, terminating the life of the Lok Sabha).

A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of the Parliament if she/he
1. holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office exempted by the Parliament by law
2. is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court
3. remains absent from all meetings of the House for a period of 60 days without the permission of the House

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3″ option4=”1 and 3 only” correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C) 1, 2 and 3. All three conditions listed can result in a person being disqualified for being chosen as, or for being, a member of either House of Parliament.

– Statement 1: Article 102(1)(a) of the Constitution states that a person shall be disqualified if they hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder. This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: Article 102(1)(b) states that a person shall be disqualified if they are of unsound mind and stand so declared by a competent court. This statement is correct.
– Statement 3: Article 101(4) of the Constitution states that if a member of either House of Parliament is for a period of sixty days absent from all meetings thereof without the permission of the House, the House may declare his seat vacant. While this provision is under “Vacation of Seats” (Article 101) rather than “Disqualifications for Membership” (Article 102), the result of the seat being declared vacant is that the person is no longer able to *be* a member. The question asks for conditions for “being chosen as, and for being, a member”. Losing one’s seat due to absence effectively disqualifies a person from *being* a member. Therefore, within the context of disqualification for continuing membership, this statement is considered correct.

Other grounds for disqualification under Article 102 include being an undischarged insolvent, not being a citizen of India or having voluntarily acquired citizenship of a foreign state, or being disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament (like the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which includes disqualifications for electoral offences, corruption, conviction for certain crimes, etc.).

Which of the following statements regarding the powers of the Speaker of the House of the People is/are correct?
1. The Speaker’s conduct in regulating the procedure of maintaining order in the House will not be subject to the jurisdiction of any court.
2. Besides presiding over his/her own House, the Speaker possesses certain powers like presiding over a joint sitting of the two Houses of the Parliament.
3. While a resolution for his/her removal is under consideration, the Speaker shall preside but shall have no right to speak, and shall have no right of vote.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1 only” correct=”option2″]

The correct answer is B) 1 and 2 only. Statements 1 and 2 regarding the Speaker’s powers are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.

– Statement 1: The conduct of the Speaker in regulating the procedure and maintaining order in the House is protected from judicial scrutiny. Article 122 of the Constitution states that the validity of any proceedings in Parliament shall not be called in question on the ground of any alleged irregularity of procedure, and no officer of Parliament (like the Speaker) in whom powers are vested for regulating procedure or conduct of business shall be subject to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise of those powers. This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: Article 118(4) of the Constitution provides that the Speaker of the House of the People shall preside over a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. This statement is correct.
– Statement 3: Article 96 of the Constitution states that while a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration, the Speaker shall *not* preside at the sitting of the House, but shall have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in, the proceedings of the House. The Speaker shall be entitled to vote *only in the first instance* on such resolution or on any other matter during such proceedings, but not in the case of an equality of votes. This contradicts the statement that the Speaker shall preside and have no right to speak or vote. This statement is incorrect.

The Speaker is the principal spokesperson of the House and represents its collective voice. The Speaker’s office is one of great dignity and authority. The Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members and holds office during the life of the Lok Sabha, unless they resign or are removed.

A bill is deemed to be a ‘Money Bill’ if it contains only provisions dealing with

• 1. the imposition, alteration or regulation of any tax
• 2. the regulation of the borrowing of money by the government
• 3. the custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Contingency Fund of India
• 4. the provision for imposition of fines or other penalties, or for the demand or payment of fees for licenses or fees for services rendered

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”3 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is A) 1, 2 and 3 only. The definition of a ‘Money Bill’ is provided in Article 110 of the Constitution of India.

– Article 110(1) defines a Money Bill as a Bill that contains *only* provisions dealing with matters such as:
1. the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax. (Statement 1)
2. the regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government of India, or the amendment of the law with respect to any financial obligations undertaken or to be undertaken by the Government of India. (Statement 2)
3. the custody of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund. (Statement 3)
4. the appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
5. the declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India or the increasing of the amount of any such expenditure.
6. the receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of India or the public account of India or the custody or issue of such money or the audit of the accounts of the Union or of a State.
7. any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in sub-clauses (a) to (f).
– Article 110(2) explicitly states that a Bill shall not be deemed to be a Money Bill by reason only that it provides for:
– the imposition of fines or other pecuniary penalties.
– the demand or payment of fees for licences or fees for services rendered. (Statement 4 falls under this exclusion)
– the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax by any local authority or body for local purposes.

The Speaker of the House of the People certifies whether a Bill is a Money Bill. The decision of the Speaker is final. Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding a Money Bill; it can only suggest amendments, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept, within a period of fourteen days.

Which of the following are the privileges of the House of the People collectively?

• 1. The right to publish debates and proceedings, and the right to restrain publication by others
• 2. The right to exclude others—to exclude strangers from the galleries anytime
• 3. The right to punish members and outsiders for breach of its privileges
• 4. What is said or done within the walls of the Parliament, however, can be inquired into in a court of law

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”3 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is (A) 1, 2 and 3 only.

– Parliamentary privileges are special rights, immunities, and exemptions enjoyed by the Houses of Parliament, their members, and their committees collectively and individually.
– Statement 1: The House has the right to publish its reports, debates, and proceedings and also to restrain publication by others. This is a collective privilege.
– Statement 2: The House has the power to exclude strangers from its proceedings and hold a secret sitting in case of an important matter. This is a collective privilege.
– Statement 3: The House has the power to punish its members as well as outsiders for breach of its privileges or its contempt. This power is essential to maintain the dignity and authority of the House. This is a collective privilege.
– Statement 4: Article 105(2) provides that no member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof. This grants immunity from judicial scrutiny regarding things said or done in the House during its proceedings. Therefore, what is said or done *within the walls* of Parliament cannot ordinarily be inquired into in a court of law. This statement is incorrect as it describes the opposite of the privilege/immunity.

– Collective privileges include: right to regulate its internal affairs, right to publish debates, right to exclude strangers, right to punish for contempt.
– Individual privileges include: freedom of speech in Parliament, freedom from arrest (in civil cases during session and 40 days before and after), exemption from attendance as a witness.

Which of the following expenditures is/are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India?

• 1. The emoluments and allowances of the President and the expenditure relating to his/her office
• 2. The salaries and allowances of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council of States and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of the People
• 3. Debt charges for which the Government of India is liable

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”1, 2 and 3″ option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”3 only” correct=”option2″]

The correct answer is (B) 1, 2 and 3.

– Expenditures charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) do not require to be submitted to the vote of Parliament, although they can be discussed. Article 112(3) of the Constitution lists the expenditures charged on the CFI.
– Statement 1: Article 112(3)(a) lists “the emoluments and allowances of the President and other expenditure relating to his office” as charged upon the CFI. This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: Article 112(3)(b) lists “the salaries and allowances of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Council of States and the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of the People” as charged upon the CFI. This statement is correct.
– Statement 3: Article 112(3)(c) lists “debt charges for which the Government of India is liable including interest, sinking fund charges and redemption charges, and other expenditure relating to the raising of loans and the service and redemption of debt” as charged upon the CFI. This statement is correct.

– Other expenditures charged on the CFI include the salaries and allowances of the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, the Judges of any High Court (pensions charged on CFI, salaries on State CFI), the Administrative expenses of the Supreme Court, the office of the CAG, etc.
– These expenditures are charged to ensure financial security and independence of constitutional offices/bodies or to guarantee debt repayment.

A bill introduced in the Parliament, in order to become an Act, has to have which of the following procedures to be followed?

• 1. It is to be passed by both the Houses of the Parliament.
• 2. The President has to give his/her assent.
• 3. The Prime Minister has to sign it after the ratification by the Parliament.
• 4. The Supreme Court has to approve and declare it to be within the jurisdiction of the Parliament.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”1, 2 and 3 only” option3=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ option4=”3 and 4 only” correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is (A) 1 and 2 only.

– Statement 1: For an ordinary bill to become an Act, it must be passed by both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), either identically or with amendments agreed upon by both Houses (or through a joint sitting in case of deadlock, though this doesn’t apply to Money Bills). This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: After a bill has been passed by both Houses, it is presented to the President for assent. Article 111 states that when a bill is presented to the President, he shall declare either that he assents to the bill, or that he withholds assent, or in the case of a non-money bill, he may return it for reconsideration. Assent by the President is mandatory for the bill to become law. This statement is correct.
– Statement 3: The Prime Minister’s signature is not a step required for a bill passed by Parliament to become an Act. The President gives assent. This statement is incorrect.
– Statement 4: The Supreme Court’s role is judicial review, which happens *after* a law has been enacted. It does not approve a bill or declare its jurisdiction during the legislative process. This statement is incorrect.

– The legislative process involves introduction, debate, passing by each House, and finally assent by the President. Different types of bills (Ordinary, Money, Financial, Constitution Amendment) have slightly different procedures, but passage by both Houses and Presidential assent are common requirements for most bills to become law.

Consider the following statements:

• 1. The Rajya Sabha is never dissolved and can be called to session any time at short notice.
• 2. Under the Constitution of India, the law-making powers of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament are symmetrical.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option1″]

The correct option is A, stating that only statement 1 is correct.

Statement 1 concerns the dissolution of the Rajya Sabha. Statement 2 compares the law-making powers of the two Houses of Parliament.

Statement 1: The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. One-third of its members retire every two years, and new members are elected to replace them. It can indeed be called into session at short notice by the President. Thus, statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2: Under the Constitution of India, the law-making powers of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) are not symmetrical. While they have equal powers in ordinary legislation, there are significant differences in financial matters (Money Bills can only originate in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has limited powers), and in the case of a joint sitting, the Lok Sabha’s strength is much greater, giving it a dominant position. Special powers are also vested in the Rajya Sabha concerning subjects in the State List and the creation of All India Services (Articles 249 and 312). Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.

Which one among the following statements holds good in respect of the Rajya Sabha ?

[amp_mcq option1=”One-third of its members retire after every three years” option2=”Two-thirds of its members retire after every three years” option3=”Two-thirds of its members retire after every two years” option4=”One-third of its members retire after every two years” correct=”option4″]

The correct option is D. According to Article 83(1) of the Constitution of India, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) is a permanent House and not subject to dissolution. However, one-third of its members retire on the expiration of every second year.

The question tests knowledge about the composition and tenure of members of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years. The system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote is used for their election by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies. The staggered retirement ensures continuity of the House.

Identify the correct sequence of the procedure in respect of the Money Bill :

[amp_mcq option1=”Voting of grants—Vote on account—Cut motions—Appropriation bill” option2=”Vote on account—Voting of grants—Appropriation bill—Cut motions” option3=”Voting of grants—Cut motions—Vote on accounts—Appropriation bill” option4=”Vote on accounts—Appropriation bill—Voting of grants—Cut motions” correct=”option2″]

The correct sequence of the procedure in respect of the Money Bill, specifically concerning expenditure authorization, involves several stages. When a Vote on Account is necessary (e.g., before the full budget is passed), it precedes the detailed discussion and voting on demands for grants. Cut motions are part of the debate and voting process on demands for grants. The Appropriation Bill is passed after the demands for grants are voted upon, as it provides the legal authority to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund of India based on the approved grants. Thus, the logical sequence among the elements listed is Vote on account (if applicable), followed by Voting of grants (during which cut motions are discussed), and finally the Appropriation Bill. Option B presents the order: Vote on account—Voting of grants—Appropriation bill. While the placement of “Cut motions” at the end of option B is not perfectly reflective of the parliamentary procedure (as they are discussed during voting on grants), the sequence of the major stages (Vote on account, Voting of grants, Appropriation bill) is correctly ordered only in option B among the choices provided.

– The budget process includes presenting the budget, general discussion, scrutiny by committees, voting on demands for grants, passing of the Appropriation Bill, and passing of the Finance Bill.
– Vote on Account is a grant made in advance by Parliament in respect of the estimated expenditure for a part of a financial year, pending the passing of the regular appropriation bill. It comes before the detailed voting on grants.
– Voting on Demands for Grants occurs after general discussion and scrutiny, where the Lok Sabha votes on the proposed expenditures for various ministries/departments.
– Cut Motions are parliamentary devices used during the discussion on demands for grants to reduce the amount of a demand.
– The Appropriation Bill is a Money Bill required to draw money from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet the grants voted by the Lok Sabha and the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund. It is passed after the demands for grants are voted.

The detailed procedure for passing the budget is lengthy. The stages mentioned in the options are key steps related to authorizing expenditure. Vote on Account is used when the full budget process cannot be completed by the start of the financial year (April 1st). The sequence presented in option B captures the relative order of Vote on Account, Voting on Demands for Grants, and the Appropriation Bill, which are the primary processes among the listed items.